Saab's Gripen Offer to Finland Includes a New Missile System
Saab has offered Finland a new decoy missile as part of the Gripen EW (Electronic Warfare) package for the HX fighter procurement project. The offer also includes the new Electronic Attack Jammer Pod or EAJP to enhance the existing EW capability of the Gripen.
“The decoy missile, that we present today, will constitute a strong addition to Gripen E/F’s built-in electronic attack capabilities. The payload of the new decoy missile is to a large extent developed in Finland and this will strengthen our offer to Finland even further,” says Jonas Hjelm, Senior Vice President and Head of Saab Business Area Aeronautics, at the recently held Kauhava Airshow.
Saab's new Lightweight Air-launched Decoy Missile (LADM) is a highly capable stand-in jammer which is used to suppress hostile Air Defence Systems, protect the aircraft, and increase missile hit probability among others. The advanced EAJP on the other hand, is to protect aircraft against radars by using sophisticated jamming functions, thereby blocking the opponent’s ability to attack them. Since both the EAJP and LADM are built on Gripen's proven and effective EW system, it will allow for a seamless integration if Finland chooses Gripen.
“Our offering to Finland, combining Gripen E/F and GlobalEye as force multipliers, will protect Finland’s people and borders, by delivering both comprehensive situational awareness and a true deterrence effect,” Jonas Hjelm says.
Saab is a leading provider of electronic warfare systems, including sophisticated jamming technology, and has delivered advanced solutions for more than 50 years. The new EAJP and LADM offer for Finland gives Gripen an edge in the HX fighter competition. Also, the development of the decoy missile in Finland will mean more high-skilled jobs in the country.
The announcement of the offer was made at the recently held Kauhava air show in Finland. Saab showcased Gripen E and GlobalEye at the air show.
Besides Gripen, aircraft like Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Lockheed Martin F-35A, and Boeing’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler have also been shortlisted for Finland’s HX fighter requirement.